A Culture of Poverty - Term Paper Example

Many perspectives and opinions surround the issues related to impoverished communities; particularly communities with high populations of Latin- and African-Americans, as well as legal and illegal immigrants…

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It seems Americans enjoy utilizing, or perhaps taking advantage of, low-wage laborers. Communities of middle- and upper-class American citizens where use of service labor is popular, even mandatory to sustain current living conditions, conveyed a high level of discrimination for the very group of individuals that allow them to maintain their lifestyle. Kristen H. Maher (p. 781-806) reported the responses of several interviews conducted with residents and laborers in an upscale community in Irvine, California. The community population was made up of 90 percent Caucasian and 10 percent Asian homeowners in the Ridgewood community of South County in Irvine. Statements made by homeowners were borderline appalling when they described their feelings about Latino service employees—even those who were actual residents due to a live-in type of a situation—utilizing facilities such as the neighborhood pool and park intended for use by residents. The overall sentiment was the homeowners only felt comfortable when these workers were using the facilities with the homeowners’ children present. For example, if a nanny was swimming with the children he or she cared for, it was acceptable for the nanny to be at the pool. Alone, it was “taboo” for the nanny to use the facility alone (Maher). While the regulations of the community were not written, it seems a posting was unnecessary. Their sentiments were felt by the Latinos; those workers who were interviewed shared their uneasiness about using the facilities, even when the children were present, much less going about the neighborhood on their own or with their own families. A couple of the community members said they did not have a problem with their nanny utilizing the facilities, but would probably have concern for anyone the employee would bring into the neighborhood (i.e. family members, friends, etc.) that may pose a potential threat to the safety of the community (Maher). Furthermore, the residents of Ridgewood voiced a strong desire to have a gate installed around the property to keep out the “riff-raff” that they perceive to be nearing their community from outlying areas such as Santa Ana, California, and even North County, where most of the laborers resided (Maher). The opinion of the laborers was that they were “good,” but it is the unknown that these individuals fear. Since the nanny is working, he or she is considered to be a “good guy,” and all others may or may not want to cause problems for the community. The residents wish to remain unscathed from the perceived dangers that lurk closer and closer to Irvine—specifically Ridgewood (Maher). However, what the residents of Ridgewood and many others, who oppose immigration, are failing to recognize is the fact that due to their low wages, these Latinos are unable to lift themselves above the poverty line. They are forced to move closer to their places of employment (i.e. Ridgewood, and other predominantly Caucasian neighborhoods), in order to cut as much cost associated with commuting as possible so what little of their income is left can be used to support their families. Alejandra Marchevsky and Jeanne Theoharis authored a book entitled Not Working: Latina Immigrants, Low-Wage Jobs, and the Failure of Welfare Reform. In the book, they explore the life of a single, Latin-American woman, Myrna Cardenas, who is struggling to make ends meet in order to provide for her three children. Myrna is no different from the service laborers discussed by Maher. She is working two
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...choices. It is obvious why such an interpretation interest scholars and researchers who desire to narrate an exciting tale (Adler 1993). However the literature does not substantiate the argument that there has been a radical transformation in attitudes towards sexual values and family patterns. 3 (b) Examine the factors which contribute to child poverty in lone parent families. The greatest impact of single-parenting on children is economic deprivation. The normal pattern for single-parent families in Western societies is to relocate into meagre apartments in unpleasant neighbourhoods because of the shortage of cheap residential areas that will accommodate children (Miller 1992). The outcome is that they frequently...

...?What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned Poverty is a serious problem Homeless live on the streets Not enough resources Many homeless have mental issues Many homeless drink to self medicated mental issues Poverty does not mean you are homeless Having children justifies aid The welfare system doesn’t work Why are aid resources so few? What prevents people from going back to work? How does child care affect work in regard to the working poor? Why is it considered the fault of the poor that they are poor? Social attitudes have criminalized poverty The Reagan administration campaigned to change social attitudes towards poverty. The cultural concept of...

...? POVERTY By Ashley Roser To Tiffanye Sledge Introduction to Sociology October 30, Poverty Before going to discuss the effects of poverty and the ways to improve poverty, let us get a better understanding of what poverty actually is. Poverty is one of the most critical issues being faced by almost every country. Poverty, in its simplest terms, can be described as the scarcity or shortage of resources for a specific group of people. Ellis-Christensen (n.d.) states, “Poverty may be defined by income only”. There are three main categories of poverty, which include extreme...

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...﻿Summary of the Fundamental Scope and Purpose of the Article
The article written by Mukul Kumar entitled “Poverty and Culture of Daily Life” proffered pertinent issues relative to the concepts of culture of poverty and culture of daily life (23). The fundamental scope was therefore the exploration of culture as a contributory cause of poverty and to determine through observing daily life activities, which among these facets likewise affect poverty. As such, the author clearly stipulated that the purpose of the article was to present a more comprehensive exploration on the nature of...

...Sociology and Culture: Causes of Poverty in the United s The United s of America is, without a doubt, the most affluent nation in the world. However, despite its wealth, there is also acute poverty that is to be found in the nation. Some regions and groups can’t seem to improve their lot and many theories have been presented to explain the poverty that exists in the land. The cultural / behavioral theories that have been presented to explain poverty attempt to link poverty with individual failings and the inability of certain groups to integrate into the mainstream of the society. Structural / economic theories related...

...﻿Impact of the Culture of Poverty
Introduction
According to Lewis (1961: xxiv), culture is defined as “a design for living which is passed down from generation to generation”. Poverty is not simply a condition of economic deprivation; it has an inherent structure, rationale, and defense mechanisms with which the poor are able to continue their life. That is, poverty is a stable, persistent way of life that is passed down along family lines through the generations. This culture of poverty constitutes unique processes, with distinctive social and psychological consequences for its members. The black underclass are the abjectly impoverished African Americans who are marginalized and excluded from mainstream America. The black... ...

...English # 21st April, A critique of Singer’s view on the Solution to World Poverty In the article “Singer Solution to World Poverty”, Peter Singer argues compellingly that it is unethical for the affluent people to spend money on luxuries, while there are starving people, especially innocent children dying of hunger in some poor countries. Peter Singer contends in this article that the affluent people should spend their money only on what is necessary, and give their surplus resources to the poor people dying of hunger (Singer, 558). A critical analysis of this argument shows that Peter Singer is wrong on this issue. The solution to world poverty doesn’t lie in the rich people donating...

...The link between poverty and teenage gang culture Contents Introduction 3 Method 3 Discussion and findings 4 Conclusion 8 Introduction Violence done by young people has become very popular now a day. It has become most visible form of violence. In teenage gang culture young people gets involve in it and often contributes greatly in increasing the global burden of disability, injury and premature death. The teen age gang culture not only harms its victims but also harms many communities and families. Over a past decade there has been a strong connection between poverty and teen age gang culture. It expanding its geographical territory and...

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